Help with 2.5" lift

[schooncj7]

Ok I have 31 X 10.5 tires and just want to add a 2 of 2.5 lift. Is this something I can easily do myself? Everything is stock so I shouldn't have to change brake lines or anything. I have been reading other posts and know that I will be going with a suspension lift and leaning toward superlift, skyjacker or Pro Comp. I don't have access to a shop this will be done in my driveway. Just need to know if this is something I can tackle and how long it may take if everything goes right.

 

[IOPort51]

It will take a Saturday with no beer. The only tool I would call mandatory on a spring swap is compressed air and an impact. It will make taking it apart so much easier but it will make assembly a pleasure. The new U bolts are fine thread with lock nuts and they are about a mile long. To tighten U bolts with a ratchet is truly an ordeal. You will also need a good jack and stands.
I did mine by myself. It wasn’t the most difficult thing I ever did, by a long shot.
Study the job, make sure you have a wrench to fit every bolt and make a plan. I did 2.5 inches and did not change brake lines or steering arm or anything else.

And after you are finished and the sun goes down and you get clean and set in the lazy boy, that will be the best beer you ever had in your whole life.

 

[chris insull]

I agree, using air tools will make the job go easier and quicker... That being said, I did mine with hand tools only and it took about 10 hours, start to finish. Soak everything the night before with PB Blast'r, and change the bushings out now so you won't have to go back in later on. Definitely a DYI job...

 

[schooncj7]

Thanks guys sounds like something I can handle. Especially after calling around to local offroad shops and they won't around 500 to install. My Saturday and a cold beer is much cheaper

 

[Old Dog]

I agree, using air tools will make the job go easier and quicker... That being said, I did mine with hand tools only and it took about 10 hours, start to finish. Soak everything the night before with PB Blast'r, and change the bushings out now so you won't have to go back in later on. Definitely a DYI job...

Make sure you have a big breaker bar and a torque wrench (the click type). As chris said use PB blaster or something like it and start spraying NOW. Use it on everything that is comming apart.
I also agree with getting all new bushings now while you have it apart.
You should get some HD stock lenght shackles also as the poly bushings that come with the springs do not work right with stock shackles.
It can be a PITA though so I would give myself all weekend.

 

[SANDBLASTER]

Ok I have 31 X 10.5 tires and just want to add a 2 of 2.5 lift. Is this something I can easily do myself? Everything is stock so I shouldn't have to change brake lines or anything. I have been reading other posts and know that I will be going with a suspension lift and leaning toward superlift, skyjacker or Pro Comp. I don't have access to a shop this will be done in my driveway. Just need to know if this is something I can tackle and how long it may take if everything goes right.

You should at least check out the BDS lift kits with a no questions ask guarantee...

 

[Old Dog]

You should also have a good pair of HD jackstands, and if you can use 2 floorjacks, one for each end of the axle, it will make life easyer.

 

[IOPort51]

10x on jack stands. I used 4 jack stands and one jack. how ever you do it your going to have to support the frame and the axle with a static load on the spring.
One other point, the new lift will come with new U bolts, I would not hesitate to go after the old ones with a saws all or a hot wrench.

You should also have a good pair of HD jackstands, and if you can use 2 floorjacks, one for each end of the axle, it will make life easyer.

 

[schooncj7]

Thanks any other tips you can think of would be great!!

 

[IOPort51]

wear safety glasses, it's going to be dirty under there. You never have a problem getting a one eyed man to wear safety glasses.
That goes for everybody! go to a good industrial supply and find a pair of glasses that fit and are comfortable, then put them some place where you can find them and they won't get scratched. 90% of the glasses sold are some kind of cool looking with a Jessie James or east coast chopper logo that give you a head ache in about 30 seconds.
I use a pair of "engineer " glasses that are big enough to fit my big head and have a cord on them so I can hang them around my neck. When I am in my shop the glasses are around my neck or on my face. I consider my safety glasses to be a very important piece of my personal equipment and I went out of my way to find the best available. I think the ones I use set me back less than $10, I think it is a very sound investment.

end of rant.

Thanks any other tips you can think of would be great!!

 

[chris insull]

I would not hesitate to go after the old ones with a saws all or a hot wrench.

Good call on that one... I needed a saws-all for a couple of u-bolts that were bent below the nut.

 

[CJ]

wear safety glasses~~~

I always wear safety glasses when I work on anything that could have flying debris! It's a by product of working in a manufacturing environment for the last 26 years... I also wear hearing protection when I ride the mower, use the blower, trimmer or even use the air gun! Call me the safety guy!